Differences in size and architecture of the potato cultivars root system and their tolerance to drought stress

Abstract

Drought can cause substantial yield losses, particularly for crops with shallow root systems, such as potato (Solanum tuberosum). This study tested whether root system architecture could affect potato yield under drought conditions. The following parameters of the roots were measured: depth range, total length, total area, surface area, average diameter, and total dry weight of the root system. These parameters in soil layers were also measured at different depths. Five potato cultivars from a group of mid-early cultivars were examined in this study. The same cultivars were tested under two conditions: control with optimal irrigation and drought stress treatment without irrigation for three weeks after the end of tuberization to check the tuber yield. Significant differences were observed among cultivars in the size of the root system and its architecture. The biggest differences in the individual layers of soil profile related to the diameter of the root, the root length, and the surface area. Also a relationship between the size of the root system and yield of tubers was found. The strongest correlations involved the root length and the root surface area with the decrease in tuber yield under the drought, then the dry root mass with the decrease in yield. These correlations were negative: the higher the value of the parameter, the smaller the observed decrease in yield. This showed a relationship between root length and mass with the decrease of yield; this relationship was stronger for roots in deeper layers than in the shallowest layers. Therefore, this study indicates that breeding potato cultivars with deep root systems might improve tuber yields under drought conditions.

Improving Potato Stress Tolerance and Tuber Yield Under a Climate Change Scenario – A Current Overview

“…Potato cultivars exhibiting higher root to shoot ratio owing to extensive and large root architecture have been found to be less susceptible to drought stress as they can increase nutrient and water uptake efficiency (Wishart et al, 2013; Villordon et al, 2014; Zarzynska et al, 2017). Zarzynska et al (2017) tested five potato cultivars and reported a correlation between root length and area to tuber yield under drought stress. They concluded that potato cultivars with deeper root length and larger root systems exhibit increased drought tolerance.…”

Impacts of Water Stress Severity and Duration on Potato Photosynthetic Activity and Yields

“…The plants were grown in a sandy substrate (87.2% sand, 9.3% silt, and 3.5% clay) extracted from the fields of one of our partner producers (Lac Saint-Jean, QC, Canada) in cylindrical pots of 45 cm in diameter and 37 cm in height. This height was sufficient to allow an adequate development of the roots since the root system of potato is mainly concentrated in the first 30 cm of soil (Lahlou and Ledent, 2005;Zarzyńska et al, 2017).…”

“…The potato crop, because of its shallow root system, is sensitive to drought (Joshi et al, 2016;Zarzyńska et al, 2017;Dahal et al, 2019). Its root system has a lower efficiency compared to other crops and a low capacity to extract water and mineral salts from the soil (Steyn et al, 1998;Dechassa et al, 2003).…”

Characteristics of Organically Grown Compared to Conventionally Grown Potato and the Processed Products: A Review

“…Potato is consumed by humans under many different preparations-boiled, baked, fried, snack, chips, starch-and is a significant source of carbohydrates [3,4], protein [3,5,6], minerals [6], vitamin C [4], and phenolic compounds [6]. Potato crop is very sensitive to water stress [7][8][9], nitrogen fertilizer deficiency, and is subject to a wide variety of disorders and diseases. Aboveground disorders and diseases include early blight (Alternaria solani), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), Fusarium dry rot (Fusarium spp.…”